How to check if the engine is charging the battery

[Iceking]

I have a 1996 Johnson 112 SPL engine (20" shaft)and would like to confirm that the engine is in fact charging the battery when under way.<br /><br />How and what is the best way to perform this task? Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

Use a voltmeter, King. Connect it across the battery.<br /><br />With the engine off it should read +12 to 12.6volts.<br /><br />If the engine is charging it will read anywhere from +13 to 16.5volts with the engine running.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

To add to JB's advice, you may have to be above 1800-2000 RPM on the SPL, it only has a 6amp charging system and won't show much at low RPM, but you should see a slight difference from off to running at Idle.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

You might add a dashboard volt meter also - it's easy to do and very handy.

 

[Iceking]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

JB,Kenny, & D,<br /><br />Thanks for your input. I'll check the engine this weekend while underway (about 2000 rpm). I would like to install a volt meter, as I have 4 batteries (24v trolling motor system) and one stating and one house deep cycle. May consider that install this weekend. Thanks.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

Does the tach work?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

Yea, good question DH....If the tach works the stator has to be doing it's job on a regulator/rectifier, correct???<br />Thinking outloud here...<br />p.s. Did you get my email as to the question of the cracked webbing on the 175 Block???

 

[Iceking]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

DH, Yes the Tach is working fine.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

Ice, then at least one side is charging. Put the tach lead (grey wire) on the terminal strip to the yellow wire (it should be on the yellow/grey terminal now). If the tach still works, its charging on both sides.<br /><br />Kenny, I did and I replied but it came back for some reason. Send it again.

 

[papasage]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

dont think it will have enough amps to keep all the batteries charged .i never run anything except the cranking battery on the motor charging system .

 

[Iceking]

Re: How to check if the engine is charging the battery

Thanks to everyone on this one. While under way, the battery reads 15.22v on the cranking battery and 13.7 on the deep cycle battery, so I will assume that the engine is charging.